Tenerife Council Launches €81 Million Strategy to Overhaul Island Water Infrastructure

Managing the island’s water cycle is now the top priority for the Tenerife Island Council for the next three years. Following a recent government meeting, officials announced a new funding strategy that combines immediate emergency aid with a large-scale, multi-year plan. This approach aims to fix long-standing issues in the island’s water supply and sanitation networks, which currently affect many municipalities.

The core of this policy is the new Island Cooperation Plan for Municipal Works and Services, which goes to a final vote on July 31. This plan will provide 81 million euros—with the Island Council covering nearly 80% of the cost—a significant increase over previous years. The goal is to modernize water infrastructure to meet environmental standards while providing extra financial support to towns with smaller budgets.

Additionally, the Council has launched a 1.8-million-euro emergency fund for nine mid-sized towns: Candelaria, Guía de Isora, Güímar, Icod de los Vinos, La Orotava, Los Realejos, Puerto de la Cruz, San Miguel, and Tacoronte. Through this program, each town can access up to 200,000 euros to handle urgent repairs or unexpected issues that cannot wait for larger projects. While the focus is on drinking water, the funds can be used for other essential services if the need is urgent. Towns have 20 days after the official announcement to submit their proposals, and all work must be completed by mid-2028.

These efforts are supported by specific projects, such as the recently announced two-million-euro upgrade to the sanitation network in East Granadilla. This 16-month project aims to resolve long-term wastewater management problems. Together, these measures mark a shift in how the Island Council works with local governments: the Council is now taking on both the funding and the technical workload to ensure these essential public services are actually improved, rather than just discussed on paper.